State Rep. Bill Seitz told elections officials he intended to retire this year - a move that would allow him to collect a pension and a taxpayer-funded salary at the same time if he wins re-election in November.

Known as ‘double-dipping’ the maneuver is perfectly legal but has drawn criticism from watchdog groups who say its ethically suspect.

"I think for most people when they think of a pension or they think about retirement, they assume that a person is in fact going to retire," said Catherine Turcer, Executive Director of Common Cause Ohio, a nonpartisan government watchdog organization.

"It is astonishing that you can double-dip. You can actually do your retirement thing at the same time that you actually have a job; a full-time and often a very well-paying job."

Seitz confirmed he sent a letter announcing his retirement to Sherry Poland, Hamilton County Board of Elections director. He told an Enquirer reporter he had been "thinking about" retirement. In a later voicemail to a reporter he dismissed The Enquirer's story as "flatulent" but did not dispute details.

According to former Senate President Pro-Tempore Jeff Jacobson, disclosing his intent to retire could allow Seitz to resign sometime before the end of the year, collect his pension and resume collecting a salary if he wins re-election.

Jacobson, who represented parts of Western Ohio served in the General Assembly for 16 years, authored the Ohio law requiring public employees disclose their intent to collect retirement benefits early.

Seitz isn’t the first lawmaker to double dip. Former Speaker Bill Batchelder reported more than $100,000 in pension income while still drawing a legislator’s salary, according to his 2014 financial disclosure form. Senate Minority Whip Edna Brown, a Toledo Democrat, received between $25,000 and $49,000 in pension income last year.

Seitz, a Green Twp. Republican, sent a letter to Hamilton County Board of Election officials on Jan. 31 saying he planned to step down this year before his term ends on Dec. 31.

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He filed for re-election on Tuesday in the reliably Republican district.

"He has no intention of resigning from the Ohio House institution," Ohio House GOP spokesman Brad Miller said.

Seitz filed paperwork with the Board of Elections to collect pension benefits after consulting with the legislative inspector general, Miller said.

The House Majority floor leader, Seitz earns at least $81,163 per year. The Enquirer has requested information on Seitz's pension earnings from the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System.

Four female lawmakers called for Seitz to step down on Feb. 2 for reportedly making derogatory comments about Butler County Rep. Candice Keller at a going-away party for a GOP staffer. At the “roast,” Seitz also made light of allegations of sexual harassment against state Sen. Cliff Hite.

On Jan. 25, Seitz sent an apology letter to Ohio Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and members of the Ohio House expressing "deep regret and remorse" for the remarks.

Elected to the House in 2000, Seitz served as majority whip, assistant majority whip, and chair of the Civil and Commercial Law Committee.

He left for the Senate in 2007 and returned to the House in 2016 where he was elected majority floor leader. He now serves on committees including the Majority Caucus Policy Committee and chairs the House Public Utilities Committee.

Seitz's district, the 30th, includes Hamilton County communities such as Cheviot, Delhi Township, Green Township and portions of Cincinnati.

Recently, Seitz and Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, introduced a bill preventing immigrants working here illegally from receiving benefits if they are injured on the job. Seitz also supported a bill that Gov. John Kasich vetoed which attempted to put a halt to the state's requirements that utility companies get more and more energy from renewable sources.

Seitz serves on the board of directors for the American Legal Exchange Council.

Clayton Adams, Setiz's Democratic opponent, said he thinks "double-dipping on his pension is the wrong move."

“Bill Seitz’s main priority is himself and how he can play the system to make more money for himself. This is not the type of leadership we need at the Ohio statehouse,” Adams said in a statement. "He should spend more time worrying about how to interact with his constituents than how to make himself more money."